Executive Chef

Executive Chef – Melbourne Airport (SSP Australia)

About SSP 

SSP is one of the world’s leading operators of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide. We are a UK-listed company with operations in 30+ countries. Our portfolio includes well-known international brands as well as some of Australia’s most renowned hospitality operations, which we operate under franchise and partnership arrangements, including Liv-Eat, ST. Ali, Roll'd, MoVida, Biggie Smalls by Shane Delia, Hungry Jacks, KFC, Veneziano Coffee, Sushi Jiro, Luke’s Bistro and Bar, Stone & Wood, Moba Moga by Gary Mehigan, The Grace by Ray Capaldi, as well as our own brands.

• Lead a large and complex multi-brand operation with further growth through upcoming refurbishments and new venue openings.

• Work alongside renowned hospitality partners and celebrity chefs, helping shape exceptional dining experiences across Melbourne Airport.

• Take on a high-profile leadership role within one of Australia's busiest airport hospitality operations.

• Lead and inspire a high-performing culinary team across a diverse portfolio of premium hospitality brands.

• Drive innovation, operational excellence, and outstanding guest experiences while developing your career with a global hospitality leader.

Our Venus at Melbourne Airport 

• Flat Chat

• Veneziano

• Mobo Moga

• Two Johns

• The Grace

• Bar Pulpo by Movida

• Hungry Jacks

• Biggie Smalls

• Rolld

• Quikshots

• BaXa

• St. Ali

• Cafe Sol

• Noddles XO

• Sushi Jiro

• Mezze Za Za

• Urban Provodore

ALL about the role:

Lead our Kitchen Team of more than 100 Back of House employees across multiple Restaurants, Cafes and Bars located at Melbourne Airport. Reporting to the General Manager, you will be supported by a great leadership team and work with one of Australia's leading hospitality operators.

• Maintain financial targets for both cost of Goods and Labour cost through effective leadership, training, and follow-up.

• Create a food safe environment by adhering to, enforcing and further developing of our Food Safety Program

• Manage, inspire, and lead a team to create an outstanding dining experience for our guests, delivering consistent, high-quality food and an exceptional dining experience.

• Have a genuine passion for what you do, keeping up to date with Australian and International food trends, resulting in innovative menu development.

• Be innovative, continually looking for ways to wow our guests and challenge the team to create exciting and contemporary menus

• Developing positive customer relations through interacting with our guests and being the face of the kitchen

• Manage department operations, including budgeting, rostering, forecasting, resource planning, food costs, waste management & monthly stocktakes

• Foster positive relationships with other key managers, department heads, and suppliers to meet business needs

• Coaching and developing your team to succeed professionally via regular 1:1 meetings, personal development plans, appraisals, training, and reward and recognition programs

• Maintaining all company compliances by ensuring documentation is up to date (Food licenses, Fire compliance, etc)

ALL about you:

• A progressive, creative professional who remains pragmatic and focused in an ever-changing and challenging fast-paced environment

• A culinary artist with an established background in delivering exceptional dining experiences across multiple venues

• You will have a fun attitude and a generous approach to developing your team

• You are passionate about showcasing the best produce to create a destination venue that sees patrons returning again and again

• An experienced Executive Chef or similar role as a senior chef (minimum of 12 months experience in a similar role), preferably with knowledge of Cafe, Restaurant, and/or Retail environments.

• Excellent communication skills and a professional attitude

• A proven ability to recruit, motivate, and train successful teams and the capability of planning and reporting your strategy in achieving these goals.

• Strong knowledge around all aspects of business reporting

• Must hold a current Food Safety Supervisor certificate

• Access to your own transportation (Outside of public transport)

Additional Information:

• In addition to the opportunity to grow and develop your career potential, we provide free parking & meals 

• We are an inclusive company, and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent. We offer reasonable adjustments to support you. If you require an adjustment to be made during the recruitment process, you are most welcome to let us know.

What you will enjoy:

• Work Your Way - We adjust to your lifestyle and meet you where you are, this is primarily a Monday to Friday role.

• Learn Your Way - Personal development plans, yearly appraisals and career progression opportunities nationally 

• Gain amazing exposure working with an industry leader.

About Us

Our purpose is to be the best part of the journey, and this is underpinned by our aim to bring leading brands and innovative concepts to our clients and customers around the world, with an emphasis on great value, taste, quality and service – using digital technology to boost efficiency. 

Our people are at the heart of our business and our values are integral to our business, underpinning everything we do. 

• We are one team … working together and sharing our best ideas to fulfil our global potential. 

• We are results focused… delivering great food and service for our customers and outstanding results for our clients, shareholders and colleagues 

• We all make a difference… respecting each other, acting responsibly and being accountable for the contributions that we make. 

• We are bold …seizing opportunities, innovating and quickly adapting every day. 

• We celebrate success… recognising and valuing everyone’s achievements.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not unlawfully discriminate against applicants for employment based on colour, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age, physical disability, pregnancy, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other bases protected by local law. Subject to legitimate business requirements, all recruitment actions are based solely on the company’s legitimate business needs and an individual’s qualifications.

We are looking for talented and passionate individuals to join SSP to start their best part of their journey. 

To find out more, please visit: www.foodtravelexperts.com

How to apply: If you are looking for an opportunity to be part of an established global organisation that is experiencing exciting growth and development, please click apply!

Important Note: All successful applicants will be required to obtain an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) which requires a background and criminal history check from the country of origin. All employment offers are conditional on being able to hold and maintain an ASIC.